Jaw protector



G. E. MORGAN Nov. 9, 1965 JAW PROTECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 15, 1962 FIG. 1

INVENTOR. GERARD E. MORGAN FIG.Z

Nov. 9, 1965 G. E. MORGAN I 3,215,023

' JAW PROTECTOR Filed Feb. 15, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. GERARD E. MORGAN United States Patent 3,216,023 JAW PROTECTOR Gerard E. Morgan, Glenview, Ill., assignor to John T. Riddell, Inc., Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Filed Feb. 15, 1962, Ser. No. 173,446 Claims. (Cl. 2-9) This invention relates to a jaw protector, and it relates more particularly to a protector adapted to be associated with a helmet such as a football helmet whereby increased safety is afforded.

The use of protective helmets in order to offset the detrimental effects of blows directed at the head is quite common. Furthermore, additional structures such as face guards have been connected to helmets to increase the protection of the wearer. There are, however, still incidents of injury to the head, and it has been found desir able to provide specific protection in the area of the jaw in order to further decrease the likelihood of injury. A protector which is designed to reduce or eliminate the possibility of fracture or dislocations in the jaw area, and which is further adapted to decrease injury to teeth and other adjacent structure, is of particular interest.

There has been no significant use of jaw protectors by football players and others wearing protective helmets. This is believed to be the case since designs suitable for providing actual protection have not been available. Furthermore, in activities such as football where a certain amount of speaking is required, jaw movement is necessary and, therefore, an important design limitation exists. Protectors which extend away from the face thus permitting speaking have been found inadequate to ward off all blows which can cause damage in the jaw area.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a protector which is adapted to be associated with a helmet whereby the danger of injury to the jaw area can be substantially reduced.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a jaw protector which is adapted to be associated with a helmet in a manner such that the possibility of fracture, dislocations or other injuries to the jaw area can be significantly decreased.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a jaw protector which is particularly suitable for use by football players and others engaged in similar activities.

These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter and, for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, specific embodiments of this invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which FIG. 1 is a side view of an individual wearing a combined helmet and jaw protector of the inventive design;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the jaw protector of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of one form of means for attaching the jaw protector to a helmet;

FIG. 4 is a detail view of an engaging means for use with the structure of FIG. 3;

FIG. :5 is a detail View of the helmet stud member use-d in conjunction with the structure of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary View of an alternative attaching means;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the attaching means shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary illustration of an alternative design for the helmet engaging portion of a jaw protector;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the engaging portion shown in FIG. 8 in assembled relationship with a helmet portion;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view of an additional alternative design for a helmet engaging portion;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view of the helmet portion of FIG. 10 as it appears in assembled relationship with a helmet;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of a helmet portion and associated stud means;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view illustrating a further alternative design for the helmet engaging portion of a jaw protector;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view of the helmet engaging portion of FIG. 13 as it appears in assembled relationship with a helmet portion;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary view illustrating a further alternative design for the helmet engaging portion of a jaw protector; and

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary elevation of the helmet engaging portion shown in FIG. 15.

In accordance with this invention a jaw protector is provided which can be used in combination with a helmet, for example, of the type used by football players. The protector comprises a portion for engaging the lower jaw and the interior surface of this portion is contoured to approximately correspond to the contour of the jaw of the wearer. Members extend from the jaw engaging portion of the protector and means are provided on these members for securing the protector to the helmet. The positioning of the protector is such that the interior surface of the protector will fit snugly against the jaw of the wearer, and its design permits it to move integrally with the wearers jaw.

The protector is provided with a relatively stiff interior member and a layer of resilient material is positioned over this interior member to provide a cushioning surface for placement against the jaw. The jaw protectors are preferably removable, and it is also contemplated to provide means for adjusting the protectors in order to ac oommodate the particular needs of the wearer.

In order to enable the wearer to speak while wearing the protector, the connection between the protector and the helmet preferable comprises a pivotal joint. The particular design contemplated thus permits movement of the lower jaw during speaking. It also provides added safety in that it conforms closely to the jaw contour rather than protruding.

The accompanying drawings illustrate specific embodiments of this invention and will provide a more detailed explanation of the invention. FIG. 1 illustrates an individual wearing a football helmet 10 which is provided with guards 12 and 14 to protect parts of the face. Secured to the cheek portions 16 of the helmet there is pro vided a jaw protector generally designated by the numeral 18. The protector includes helmet engaging portions 20 and means are provided at 22 for attachment to the helmet.

FIG. 2 illustrates the jaw protector 18 in section. The protector shown comprises an interior member 24 which extends substantially throughout the protector body. A reinforcing rib 26 can be provided in order to increase the strength of the protector. The member 24 is to be formed of a semi-rigid material so that it will assume the desired shape of the protector. At the same time, the member 24 must be sufficiently resilient to permit spreading of the portions 20 such as during attachment to the helmet. Various plastic, fibrous, metal or wood materials can be employed for the member 24.

Layers 28 and 30 of resilient material cover the interior member 24. The inner layer of resilient material 30 is provided to soften the impact on the jaw resulting from blows striking the outer surface of the protector. The outer layer 28 serves to avoid presentation of a hard outer surface, however, this layer can be dispensed with. A vinyl dip coating may be provided, if desired, for the en-. tire protector or for some surfaces thereof.

The layers may be formed of any suitable natural or synthetic foam, sponge or other resilient materials. A particularly suitable interior padding for the structure comprises the type disclosed in applicants copending application Serial No. 164,368, filed January 4, 1962, and entitled Protective Padding. The paddling disclosed in this application is designed to offset the detrimental effects of blows in a highly efiicient and effective manner.

The remaining figures illustrate various alternative arrangements which can be employed for attaching the protector 18 to the helmet 10. FIGS. 3 through illustrate in detail connecting means employed in combination with a helmet engaging portion of the design shown in FIG- URE 2. The connecting means include a pin 32 rotatably received within a bore 34 which is formed in the cheek portion 16 of a helmet. Washers 36 are provided for the construction.

The pin 32 includes an enlarged oval-shaped portion 38 which terminates in a smaller oval-shaped projection 40. Tab 42, having oval-shaped opening 44, is adapted to be placed in pressure-tight engagement with the projection 40.

The helmet engaging portion 20, shown in FIG. 2, includes an elongated slot 46 having indentations 48 on opposite sides thereof. The indentations form an ovalshaped opening which will receive the portion 38 of the pin 32. In order to assemble the protector with a helmet, the portion 38 is adapted to be placed as shown in FIG. 2, and the tab 42 can then be employed to maintain the protector in position. The use of a plurality of indentations 48 permits adjustment of the protector, and the protector is adapted to pivot with respect to the helmet by reason of the mounting arrangement provided.

FIGURES 6 and 7 illustrate an alternative connecting means including a screw 50 rotatably mounted in the portion 16 of a helmet. A slot 52 formed in the engaging portion 20 of a protector is provided for receiving the end of the screw 50. A wing nut 54 is adapted to hold the screw in a desired position with respect to the slot 52. This provides an adjustable as Well as a pivotal arrangement.

A still further alternative is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. In this arrangement, the engaging port-ion 20 of the protector is provided with holes 56,. which are adapted to receive pin means 58, the latter being secured to the portion 16 of a helmet. The end 60 of the pin means 58 is adapted to assume a vertical position whereby the pin can be passed through the holes 56. The end is then adapted to be snapped over to the position shown in order to hold the helmet and protector together. As in the previous cases, it is apparent that this alternative provides for pivoting of the respective members as well as an adjustable arrangement.

In FIGS. through 14 there are illustrated means whereby the protectors can be resiliently and adjustably secured to a helmet while a pivotal character is retained. The arrangements illustrated are designed whereby a stud 62 having an enlarged head 64 (FIG. 12) is adapted to be associated with openings in engaging portions 20 of a protector and resiliently held in these positions. The stud 62 is shown threaded into an insert 66 located in the portion 16 of a helmet. However, the stud 62 can be associated with the portion 16 in any desired fashion.

One contemplated form of a resilient connecting means is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. This embodiment includes a slot 68 having an enlarged opening 70 formed in the engaging portion 20 of a protector. Angularly disposed indentations 72 extend from the slot 68 and are adapted to receive the narrow portion of the stud 62. A length 74 of resilient material, which may be rubber, sponge, etc., is fastened at the top of the slot 68. This material preferably has a bearing strip 76 on its lower surface, and the resilient character of this material normally holds the strip in the position shown.

When it is desired to assemble a protector and helmet, the head 64 of the stud is passed through the opening 70 whereby the narrow portion 62 of the stud is adapted to come into engagement with the bearing member 76. The stud can be moved along the slot 68 until an indentation 72 corresponding to a comfortable position for the wearer is reached. The stud is adapted to be received within the indentation, and the resilient member will hold the stud in position. Obviously, adjustability of the protector is facilitated by this arrangement.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate an arrangement which is also adapted to be used in conjunction with the stud 62. In this arrangement, the engaging portion 20 of the protector is provided with a slot 78 having enlarged opening 80. Indentations 82 extend from the slot and a spring member secured at 86 separates the indentations from the opening 80.

In the use of this arrangement, the enlarged head 64 is received in the opening and the stud 62 is moved into slot 78. Once a desired indentation is reached, the stud 62 can be settled in this position and maintained therein through the action of the spring 84.

The alternative arrangement shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 includes the use of a fastener plate member 90 secured to the engaging portion 20 of a jaw protector. The rivets 92 which secure the plate are elongated so that the plate is spacedfrom the portion 20.

A stud 94 secured to helmet 16 is provided with an enlarged end 96 adapted to fit into the slot 98 formed in the plate 90. The narrow portion of the stud can then be disposed in one of the indentations 100 extending from the slot. As in the case of the arrangement shown in FIG. 13, a spring member, shown at 102, resiliently retains the stud in position. A stop member 104 serves to prevent passage of the stud out of the slot 98.

The arrangement shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 is particularly advantageous, since the stud member is not exposed and the outer surface 106 of the portion 20 can be padded. In this same connection, a resilient layer 108 (FIG. 12) can be secured on the outside of the portion 20 to cover the stud members.

As previously noted, various types of resilient padding can be provided on the inside of the protector to provide a cushion for the wearer. The padding need not comprise horizontally jpositionecl pads, as illustrated, but can comprise a unitary layer extending over the semi-rigid member or a plurality of pads arranged in a desired configuration. It is contemplated to provide means for snapping individual pads onto a semi-rigid member so that the pads can be replaced or different sizes used.

It will be noted that the described protector is designed to cover the entire chin of the wearer with the upper edge of the protector extending to a point immediately beneath the lower lip and the lower edge of the protector extending to the under portion of the jaw. The side walls of the protector are relatively wide and cover a substantial portion of the cheek and bone structure on the side of the face. This protector design is advantageous due to the fact that the protector fits snugly around the lower jaw and associated areas and softens the impact of blows to a great extent. The design is also effective to greatly reduce the tendency toward injury, since the snug fit braces against lateral displacement of the jaw. Accordingly, the danger of fractures, dislocations, injuries to teeth, etc., is largely eliminated.

It is also important to recognize that the designs illustrated permit pivoting of the protector at its junction with the helmet. Vertical displacement of the protector is thus possible and impairment of speech is avoided.

The protectors of this invention can be employed along with other guards such as the face guard 14 illustrated. However, the nature of the protector is such that the protective functions of a face guard are, in many cases, duplicated and, therefore, the face guard can be eliminated.

In considering the above disclosure, it will be appreciated that the jaw protectors could be custom fitted whereby adjusting means would not be necessary. Furthermore, certain of the particular means for joining of the protectors with the helmet are provided for purposes of illustration, and obviously other means are available. However, u-se of the resilient type connections illustrated is highly advantageous and forms an important part of this invention. The resilient connecting means permit free pivoting while at the same time allowing for adjustment after the headgear is in place. In addition, the resilient character can also cooperate to ward off detrimental effects of blows.

It will be understood that various modifications can be made in the above described jaw protectors which provide the characteristics of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof, particularly as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a helmet construction comprising a helmet shell of the type including cheek protecting portions defined on each side of the shell, the improvement comprising a jaw protector including a semi-rigid jaw engaging portion which comprises a relatively stiff interior member, a layer of resilient material covering said interior member, said engaging portion defining an interior surface contoured to correspond to the lower jaw of the wearer, helmet connection members formed integrally with said stiff interior member and extending rearwardly on opposite sides of the jaw protector, cooperating means comprising securing means located on said check portions of said helmet shell and additional securing means located on said helmet connection members, said securing means being adapted for the securing of the connection members to said helmet shell and being adjustable whereby said protector is adapted to be snugly fitted against the jaw of the wearer, said protector covering substantially the entire chin of the wearer with portions thereof extending to the underside of the jaw along either side of the face to cover substantial portions of the bone structure on the sides of the face in the area of the jaw, and said securing means being movably connected together to thereby permit pivotal movement of said protector with respect to said helmet shell whereby the wearer of the helmet can move the lower jaw.

2. A construction according to claim 1 wherein said cooperating means include stud members extending outwardly from the sides of said helmet, stud receiving means formed in said helmet connection members for insertion of said stud members and means for retaining said stud receiving means and stud members in position.

3. A helmet construction comprising a helmet shell, a jaw protector comprising a semi-rigid jaw engaging portion comprised of a relatively stiff interior member, a layer of resilient material covering said interior member, said engaging portion defining an interior surface contoured to correspond to the lower jaw of the wearer, helmet connection members extending from said engaging portion, cooperating means located on said helmet and said connection members for removably and adjustably securing said protector to said helmet in a manner such that the said interior surface of said protector is adapted to be snugly fitted against the jaw of the wearer to cover substantially the entire chin of the wearer and to cover at least a portion of the underside of the jaw of the wearer said cooperating means permitting pivotal movement of said protector with respect to said helmet whereby the wearer of the helmet can move the lower jaw, said cooperating means comprising means defining stud receiving slots formed in each of said helmet connection members, a plurality of stud locating indentations extending from said slots whereby said studs can be moved into said slots and located in desired ones of said indentations, and resilient means secured to said helmet connection members adjacent said slots adapted to engage said studs when located in said indentations.

4. A jaw protector for use in combination with a helmet shell of the type including cheek protecting portions defined on each side of the shell, said protector comprising a semi-rigid jaw engaging portion comprised of a relatively stiff member, a layer of resilient material covering at least the inside surfaces of said member, said engaging portion defining an interior surface contoured to correspond to the jaw of the wearer and being adapted to cover substantially the entire chin of the wearer and to cover at least a portion of the underside of the jaw of the wearer, a pair of extensions adjoining said engaging portion, apertured plates fastened to the inner surface of each of said extensions, resilient means secured to each of said plates adjacent the apertures in the plates, stud means located on the cheek portions of said helmet shell with the apertures in said plates being adapted to receive said stud means, and said resilient means being adapted to removably and adjustably hold said stud means within said apertures.

5. A helmet construction comprising a helmet shell of the type including cheek protecting portions on each side of the shell, a jaw protector comprising a sem-i-rigid jaw engaging portions which includes a relatively stiif interior member, a layer of resilient material covering said interior member, said engaging portion defining an interior surface contoured to correspond to the lower jaw of the wearer and being adapted to cover substantially the entire chin of the wearer and to cover at least a portion of the underside of the jaw of the wearer, a pair of extensions adjoining said engaging portion, apertured plates fastened to the .inner surface of each of said extensions, resilient means secured to each of said plates adjacent the apertures in the plates, stud means located on the cheek portions of said helmet shell, the apertures in said plates being adapted to receive said stud means and said resilient means being adapted to removably and adjustably hold said stud means within said apertures, said jaw protector being pivotally held on said stud means whereby the wearer of the helmet can move the lower jaw.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 652,196 6/00 Shibe 2-9 1,060,220 4/13 White 2-9 1,450,199 4/23 Barber 24-206 1,709,936 4/29 Drew 2-9 2,758,307 8/56 Treiber 2-9 2,790,175 4/57 Sowle 2-9 2,867,812 1/59 Roth et a1. 2-9 X 2,944,263 7/60 Rayburn et al. 2-9 2,954,564 10/60 Sowle 2-9 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner. DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Examiner. 

1. IN A HELMET CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING A HELMET SHELL OF THE TYPE INCLUDING CHEEK PROTECTING PORTIONS DEFINED ON EACH SIDE OF THE SHELL, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A JAW PROTECTOR INCLUDING A SEMI-RIGID JAW ENGAGING PORTION WHICH COMPRISES A RELATIVELY STIFF INTERIOR MEMBER, A LAYER OF RESILIENT MATERIAL COVERING SAID INTERIOR MEMBER, SAID ENGAGING PORTION DEFINING AN INTERIOR SURFACE CONTOURED TO CORRESPOND TO THE LOWER JAW OF THE WEARER, HELMET CONNECTION MEMBERS FORMED INTEGRALLY WITH SAID STIFF INTERIOR MEMBER AND EXTENDING REARWARDLY ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE JAW PROTECTOR, COOPERATING MEANS COMPRISING SECURING MEANS LOCATED ON SAID CHEEK PORTIONS OF SAID HELMET SHELL AND ADDITIONAL SECURING MEANS LOCATED ON SAID HELMET CONNECTION MEMBERS, SAID SECURING MEANS BEING ADAPTED FOR THE SECURING OF THE CONNECTION MEMBERS TO SAID HELMET SHELL AND BEING ADJUSTABLE WHEREBY SAID PROTECTOR IS ADPATED TO BE SNUGLY FITTED AGAINST THE JAW OF THE WEARER, SAID PROTECTOR COVERING SUBSTANTIALLY THE ENTIRE CHIN OF THE WEARER WITH PORTIONS THEREOF EXTENDING TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE JAW ALONG EITHER SIDE OF THE FACE TO COVER SUBSTANTIAL PORTIONS OF THE BONE STRUCTURE ON THE SIDES OF THE FACE IN THE AREA OF THE JAW, AND SAID SECURING MEANS BEING MOVABLY CONNECTED TOGETHER TO THEREBY PERMIT PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF SAID PROTECTOR WITH RESPECT TO SAID HELMET SHELL WHEREBY THE WEARER OF THE HELMET CAN MOVE THE LOWER JAW. 